Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cairns for the question. I entirely concur with her on the importance of small marine infrastructure. It is very important to our inshore fisheries sector, in particular. It also allows us to develop the capacity of the marine resource from a leisure and a resource point of view. The past year, 2021, had a record level of funding for marine infrastructure under the control of local authorities. It was increased to over €4 million, which was an increase of one third on the previous year and was the highest on record. I will increase that significantly in the time ahead and I am highly cognisant of the report of the task force but, in particular, of the Government commitment to developing the potential of our coastal areas. I will be bringing forward an announcement in that regard in the near future.

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